Sunday, November 20, 2016

Sydney by Margot Justes

An early six am flight put me in Sydney about three hours
later. The first thing I noticed was the change in temperature; Cairns was mid
80’s , Sydney mid 60’s. Not bad for middle of winter. For me, it was the
perfect time to travel.

As with Cairns, I loved Sydney. Vastly different from
Cairns, Sydney is big, less touristy, a working metropolis, like any other
major city, except it’s in Australia, and it’s stunning. Maybe because I loved
the gorgeous accent, the famous harbor, the iconic Opera House, the bridge, and
all within walking distance from the hotel, it never got old. The people are
just as friendly and helpful as they were in Cairns.

A short taxi hop brought me to the hotel. I love to walk,
and usually pick hotels in areas where I want to spend the most time.I wanted to be close to the Opera House,
Sydney Harbor, Harbor Bridge, and the Rocks, considered to be the oldest part
of Sydney. There was a hotel that fit the bill, and the price wasn’t
astronomical.

When I checked in, the room wasn’t ready. They were very
gracious, and said there would be a lovely room available within an hour. I had
breakfast at the hotel restaurant, and it included plain yogurt mixed with
passion fruit. I first mixed the yogurt and passion fruit in Cairns, and it was
addictive. By the time I finished, the room was indeed ready, and the luggage
was already in place. The view was fantastic; I could see the harbor, the Opera
House and the bridge.

By noon, I was on my way to the harbor to get a closer look
at the Opera House; without a doubt, it was one of the most remarkable
buildings I have ever seen. I was already dreading going home, and I just arrived.

There are many restaurants along the harbor, with
spectacular views, and I decided my first dinner in Sydney would be in one of
those outdoor places. It gets chilly in the evening, and most of them had
heaters and candles. The heaters for warmth, the candles for ambiance. Perfection.
I was there in July, it was winter, and considerably than Cairns.

The rest of the afternoon was spent visiting the Government
House. The mansion overlooks the Royal Botanic Gardens, and it was walking
distance form hotel.

The Government house built between 1837 and 1845, and for a
while served as the official residence of the Governor of New South Wales. This
Gothic Revival building is quite beautiful; the stately rooms, and 19th century
furnishings make for a fascinating visit, and along the way you learn a quite
bit about Sydney. The guide was
knowledgeable, and passionate about the history of the building, and some of
the inhabitants. Admission is free, and it is well worth the visit.

In the evening I went back to the harbor area, and stopped
for dinner in one of those delightful restaurants that faced the harbor, and
the food was delicious.I’m a pizza fan,
and always manage to try the local version. Yes, even in Australia-they are
quite popular there too. I couldn’t have asked for a better first day.